Marathon & Half Marathon in Keene, NH

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Elm City Rotary

Elm City Rotary

The Keene Elm City Rotary is a “hands on” club of approximately 60 members. Chartered January 15, 1990 as part of District 7870, The Elm City Rotary is a spin off of the long established Keene Rotary Club. Founded with the intent to do things a little differently than our father club, our broad goal is the same: Service Above Self.

We focus on the needs of underprivileged youth in our community as well as many other humanitarian grants and hands-on projects — plus organizing the Clarence DeMar Marathon!

Currently, the proceeds from the DeMar support the “Follow ME” program. Through this program, we provide brand new high quality sneakers to every second grader in Cheshire County. Last year we gave out almost 800 pair. Learn more about Follow ME.

Sorting shoes for every 2nd grader in our region!

Being a “Hands On Club” is an important part of our roots and who we are today. Projects have included International service work in El Salvador, delivering food baskets for the Keene Community Kitchen, dictionaries for every third grader in our region, roadside clean-up, numerous painting and building projects for local non-profits and many others.

We are well known for our Children’s Classic Golf Tournament which was held annually for 14 years and allowed us to donate over $142,000 to 16 different children’s programs in Cheshire County.

Known throughout district 7870 for our positive, uplifting (and early) meetings, the Keene Elm City Rotary meets Thursdays at Stone Arch Village on Court Street in Keene. Breakfast is served at 7:15 and our meeting begins at 7:30.

We look forward to making the Demar Marathon a fun and unique experience for runners, volunteers, and the community for many years to come!

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Gorgeous marathon through spectacular scenery. The best part, though, is the incredible race director and the volunteers. This is one of the best, and a must-do marathon!

A lovely small marathon that is very well organized and supported. A big thank you to the race director for not cancelling due to the heat – as someone working on 50 States, this was huge. The ice at every water stop was tremendously helpful as were the misting stations. Great volunteers all along the course, good food at the end, and lots of it!

“The first 15-16 miles or so are absolutely beautiful New England countryside. The race is extremely well organized, and most everyone involved with the race was positive and friendly. No crazy crowds or hassles!”